Like two-thirds of American homes, your home may be worth less than the amount of its assessment because assessment cycles have not caught up with the drop in home values. As a result, you could have a better chance of paying lower property taxes by challenging your current assessment. Here are a few tips gleaned from some of the experts in this area:

• Check the statistics on your home for accuracy at your local assessor's office. If there are errors this may be an easy fix.
• Compare your property with similar homes in your neighborhood and if their assessments are lower than yours, you may have a case that yours should be too.
• Next, gather sales-price data for several comparable homes sold in recent months and use the information to argue that your home's market value has declined. You may want to consult with a real estate professional for help in this area.

Be aware of one important issue: If your tax bill is due before you resolve the lower assessment, pay the higher bill amount in full to avoid the possibility of the county placing a lien on your home.

Do you want to Challenge Your Home’s Tax Assessment?

Call the Tax Tiger Team

• 9101 Burnet Rd Suite 108 Austin TX 78758
• Phone: 512-650-2946
• E-mail: taxhelp@taxtiger.com
• www.taxtiger.com